RELEASE DATE: 10/02/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield University to induct five new members into Alumni/Athlete Hall of Fame Friday evening – Mark Doherty, Joe Harrington, Gretchen Reschke and Rick Sabec along with Legend Joe Lippincott comprise Class of 2008

MANSFIELD – Football and track standout Mark Doherty (’95) , football’s Joe Harrington (’50), field hockey All-American Gretchen Reschke (’02) and men’s basketball player Rick Sabec (’93) along with Legend Joe Lippincott (’21) will be inducted as the 26^th class of the Mansfield University Alumni/Athletic Hall of Fame this Friday evening in Manser Hall.

The five new members of the Class of 2008 bring the total number of former student-athletes inducted to 156, including 32 Legends, since the Hall of Fame was established in 1983.

The Legends category was established in 1992 to recognize the contributions of student-athletes who played prior to 1927.

Mark Doherty – Doherty was a four-year letter winner on the football team from 1991-94 and was also a record-setting member of the track team. A three-year starter in football, Doherty set a then-school record for catches (60) and receiving yards (906) during the 1994 season. He ranked among the PSAC and NCAA Division II leaders, earning First Team All-PSAC East and honorable mention All-American honors. Known as a fearless receiver over the middle, Doherty still ranks among the career reception leaders. Doherty was just as impressive on the track where he still holds indoor, outdoor and team records. Doherty was named the MU Fall Athlete of the Year in 1994 and went on to play professional football in Europe for two years after graduation.

Joe Harrington – Harrington was part of the Mountaineers successful football and basketball programs following WWII. Harrington was a key member of the 1946 and 1947 football teams. A star end during the 1947 season, he earned a place on the First All-Teacher’s College Team and led the team in scoring. Mansfield went 6-2 that season, claiming the mythical State Championship title and defeating Bloomsburg, Millersville, Kutztown, Edinboro and IUP. Harrington was also a member of the undefeated 1946 team, playing end and handling the kicking chores. He was an outstanding basketball player in the 1947-48 season, earning first team All-Teacher’s College Team honors while leading the Mountaineers in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. He was one of the leading scorers on the 1946-47 basketball team as well.

Gretchen Reschke – Reschke started every game during her four-year field hockey career at Mansfield University, and became the first to make first team All-PSAC for four years in a row in the program’s history. She was a vital member of the 2001 team that won the ECAC championship in their first ever post season championship competition. The Mansfield University Women’s Fall Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2000, Reschke still holds the school records for goals in a season and points in a season, as well as the record for career goals, assists and points.

Rick Sabec – Sabec was a key player for the men’s basketball program during the 1990-93 seasons. A four year starter, 6’7” Sabec was one of the premier big men in the PSAC East. Sabec averaged double figures in scoring during each of his four seasons, while also ranking among the team high rebounders and block leaders. He played with injuries during each of his four seasons. At the end of his career, Sabec ranked first in school history in blocked shots, third in rebounds, third in field goals made, third in free throws made and fifth in field goal percentage. He still holds the school records for blocked shots in a game, season and career. A two-time team captain, Sabec was named to All-PSAC East second team honors during his senior season. He was also named the 1993 Winter Athlete of the Year.

Legend
 

Joseph Lippincott – Joseph “Baby Joe” Lippincott was a big man both on and off the field at Mansfield State Normal School in the years following World War I. As a 6-1, 220-pound offensive tackle his senior season, Lippincott towered over his fellow teammates as the largest man on the team. Karl Van Norman selected Lippincott as one of the top players in the first 50 years of football at Mansfield. Lippincott was also a standout in basketball in Mansfield. The Class President his senior year, Lippincott graduated from Mansfield in 1921 and attended Bucknell University where he was a standout on the Bison football team.